Shire adopts plans

Mitchell Shire Council’s next council plan, budget and strategic resource plan have been adopted following five months of community consultation.

A series of information sessions, surveys and listening posts were held across the shire to seek ideas about what should be included, to help explain key elements of the plans and to seek feedback on the drafts.

Submissions from the public were then considered, with a number of changes made before the final plans were adopted at the June council meeting.

Following feedback from the community, several changes were made to the draft budget, which will see an increase of $115000 to the Kings Park Netball Changeroom project, while the $300000 Kings Park Agricultural Pavilion project will be delayed due to grant funding not being available.

Eleven written submissions were received on the draft budget, with six of these heard at a special hearings committee earlier this month.

The four-year council plan, which outlines the overall priorities for the term of council, was adopted with several changes made following submissions.

More than 1200 survey responses helped shape the plan, with five official submissions made once the draft was released for input.

The council plan identifies seven strategic themes and objectives that are priorities for our community, including advocacy, community participation, responsible planning, strong communities, supporting local jobs and quality investment, financial and organisational management, and caring for the environment.

Annual action plans will now be developed for the plan.

The strategic resource plan, which sets out council’s financial targets over the next four years, was also adopted.

This plan addresses several key challenges for council including rate capping, population growth, investment in infrastructure and borrowing for long-term benefit.

Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson said the plans would ensure council was well-placed in both the short and long term with a strong foundation for the next four years.

‘‘Our council plan outlines our community’s wants and needs over the next four years and identifies the ways in which council can work with the community and other project partners to help achieve them,’’ Cr Sanderson said.

‘‘The strategic resource plan and budget show how we are going to resource these commitments and provide critical infrastructure and services and plan for the needs of a growing community.’’

The road management plan and the review and determination of mayoral and councillor allowances were also adopted at the June council meeting.